Toy
Disclosed herein is a toy including a figure and a launcher for launching objects at the figure. The figure has an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the upper portion is movably secured to the lower portion and at least one appendage is movably secured to the upper portion, the at least one appendage having a distal end with an item rotatably secured thereto. An actuator is disposed on an exterior surface of the upper portion of the figure and movement of the actuator causes the upper portion to move from a first configuration to a second configuration with respect to the lower portion.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/089,562 filed Aug. 17, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
BACKGROUNDVarious embodiments of the present invention relate to a toy and more particularly, a toy having a figure and a launcher for launching objects at the figure.
Children's toys have included miniature cars, boats, trains, figures, etc. wherein the user's imagination provides for hours of extended play and enjoyment. Toy figures that resemble fighting or combat type activities are particularly popular as the user can participate in imaginary battles.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a toy that resembles combat activities and allows for interaction with the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment, a toy including a figure and a launcher for launching objects at the figure is provided. The figure has an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the upper portion is movably secured to the lower portion and at least one appendage is movably secured to the upper portion, the at least one appendage having a distal end with an item rotatably secured thereto. An actuator is disposed on an exterior surface of the upper portion of the figure wherein movement of the actuator causes the upper portion to move from a first configuration to a second configuration with respect to the lower portion.
In another embodiment, a toy having a figure and a launcher for launching objects at the figure is disclosed. The figure has a torso portion movably secured to the figure and a pair of arms moveably secured to the torso portion where each of the pair of arms have a distal end with an item to rotatably secured thereto and a motor is provided to simultaneously rotate each item and move the torso such that each item is alternatively located in a position in front of the figure. Objects are launched at the figure in order to release a release mechanism that maintains the torso in an upright configuration.
Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following description of embodiments, the description referring to the drawings in which:
In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention a toy is provided. Referring now to
In one alternative embodiment, the toy or figure will include an audio device configured to provide audio outputs such as taunts to the user launching objects at the figure. One contemplated variation would include audio outputs that are synchronized with actions of the toy, for example, during initiation of game play by placing an item in the hand of the opponent will cause the toy to play an audio track that constitutes a challenge, for example: “So you have decided to challenge the master. To win you must battle my Dragon Blade and Snake Staff” or “Put these weapons into my hands and place a car on the Battle Stand for our challenge to begin.” This will be caused by actuation of certain sensors as will be discussed herein.
Furthermore, and as objects are launched at the opponent audio tracks can be played when a user misses the actuator of the opponent or alternatively hits the actuator of the opponent or alternatively when the trigger is released or depressed when the figure is in a specific or predetermined position. In any of the embodiments, the audio tracks can be keyed into actuation of the launcher wherein a first signal is created and actuation of the actuator on the opponent creates a second signal thus, audio tracks will be played based upon receipt of the first signal and/or receipt of the first signal and the second signal. Non-limiting examples of such audio tracks are as follows: “Is that all you have!” or “You have some skill, but not enough to defeat me.” etc. Further embodiments contemplate a scoreboard or item indicating the number of successful rounds the player has had.
As illustrated, toy 10 has a
The launcher is configured to launch objects 32 at the figure. In one embodiment, the launcher resembles and/or operates like a catapult wherein the launcher is pulled back to a launching or cocked position wherein a biasing force is provided to move the launcher from the cocked position to another position and abruptly stop and then an object 32 is launched by the launcher.
In one embodiment, the object is a miniature car that is supported on platform 36. Of course, other objects can be placed on the platform for launching at the target, opponent or figure. Accordingly, variations in play are provided. As illustrated, the launcher has a platform 34 that is pivotally secured to the base via an arm member or members 36. The launcher is illustrated in a cocked or prelaunch position in
Referring back now to
Referring now to
In order to provide this movement a gear 54 of the motor is rotated when the motor is energized. Gear 54 meshingly engages a gear 56 secured to a cross member 58 of the gear train such that upon application of a driving force to gear 56 member 58 rotates and a pair of gear members 60 disposed at either end of member 58 also rotate and each gear member 60 engages a gear member 62 disposed within an arm of the figure. Each gear 62 is angularly configured such that rotation of gear 62 cause the arms to move upward and downward in a reciprocal motion in the direction of arrows 54 as the torso twists. Furthermore, each gear 62 is also secured to a shaft member 64 having another gear 68 disposed at an opposite end. Gears 68 are positioned to meshingly engage gears 70 disposed within forearms 74 of the arms of the figure. Gears 70 are also secured to a shaft member 72 rotatably received in the forearms of the figure and one end of the shaft member is secured to hands 28 rotatably received within the forearms. Accordingly, rotation of gears 62 causes rotation of gear 68 via shaft member 64 which in turn causes rotation of gears 70 and shaft member 72 such that the hands 28 rotatably received within the forearms are rotated in a circular fashion. Therefore, items 30 held in hands 28 will rotate in a circular manner when motor 50 provides a driving force to the gear train 52. It being understood that each of the shaft members in gears are rotatably received within cavities of the figure such that application of the driving force to the gear train will cause the desired movement (e.g., rotation of the hands and items grasped by the hands, movement of the arms up and down and twisting of the torso in a back-and-forth manner). Although one embodiment is directed to rotation of the hands and the items recently secured therein, it is also understood that various embodiments of the present invention contemplate other types of movements of the hands and the items releasably secured therein, for example, twisting or bending motion, pivoting motion, etc.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 10A-10B and in order to cause the twisting of the torso in a back-and-forth manner, shaft member 58 will have a rack or screw portion such that rotation of gear 56 will cause the same to translate in a linear manner along member 58 wherein rotation of the torso is facilitated alternatively, gear 56 or gear 54 of the motor will engage another gear (not shown) to cause the back-and-forth rotation (e.g., twisting) of the torso of the figure manner.
Alternative methods for achieving the desired movement of the torso, arms and weapons of the figure are contemplated, for example, a manual method or means for manually actuating the movement of the weapons, arms and torso may be employed.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
As will be discussed herein and referring now to
One non-limiting configuration of release mechanism 84 is illustrated schematically in
Of course, numerous other means for retaining and knocking down the upper portion of the figure are contemplated to be within the scope of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
As discussed herein, a toy is provided wherein a figure moves or sequences through a plurality of positions or defensive postures wherein rotating weapons either protect or expose a portion of the figure. The portion of the figure includes an actuator which when struck by an object will cause the figure to collapse or take on a defeated posture. The toy will include a launcher that is capable of launching an item at the portion of the figure containing the actuator. In one embodiment, the launcher will be capable of being positioned into various configurations such that the object can be aimed at the relevant portion of the figure.
In an alternative embodiment, the toy has various levels and each defeat or knock down of the figure is recorded until a predetermined amount of defeats are recorded and the player can advance to another level. In one alternative embodiment, the figure also contains a speaker and audio driver for playing a plurality of prerecorded messages during game play.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the figure is configured as a Ninja warrior and levels are obtained by defeating the Ninja (e.g., each level won by the player advances the player in belt ranking (Novice, Red belt, Brown belt, Black belt and Master) and accordingly the player's goal is to defeat the Ninja through consecutive rounds of battle and become the master.
When the player strikes the chest enough times the figure or Ninja collapses backwards and the player has won the round. The player then lifts (resets) the Ninja, and in one embodiment a new level or ranking appears on a score area 100. In one embodiment, the score area may include lights or LEDs that light up each time a level is completed.
One non-limiting example of play of the toy is as follows: a plurality of battle rounds are played against the Ninja or figure wherein a score is kept. Here each level or round won by the player advances the player in belt ranking wherein the player's goal is to defeat the figure through the four or any number of consecutive rounds of battle.
In one pattern, the programming will be set up to sequence though a plurality of steps. For example, once the toy is switched on the figure performs a few waist twists, weapon spins and then pauses then the audio track plays and says, “So you have decided to challenge the master”. In order to advance to another belt level the player must defeat the figure, wherein different items for each level are placed in the figure's hands (e.g., different weapons can be used for each round of battle). In one embodiment, the figure issues an audio command like “Put these weapons into my hands and place a car on the Battle Stand for our challenge to begin.” If the player puts correct weapons in the figure's hands and places a car or other object on the Battle Stand, the figure will provide a comment initiating game play.
Then the figure begins performing random waist twists and weapon spins and the figure can provide taunts to the player by saying phrases such as, “Take your best shot” or “I'm waiting.”
The player aims the launcher and tries to vault a car or object between the spinning weapons and hit the figure's chest plate. The car can be placed on the launcher at different angles for a variety of attack styles (side flip, back flip, forward flip, etc.).
Battle Outcome: if the player misses the chest plate and the figure knocks the car out of the air with his spinning weapons, the figure may further reply will additional audio tracks, etc. If the car hits the figure's chest plate alternative audio replies related to the success of the player. In one embodiment, the battle continues as before and when the player strikes the chest plate enough times the figure collapses backwards and the player has won the round. The player then lifts (resets) the figure, and a new belt ranking appears on the base or battle stand (e.g., illuminating LEDs of different colors or number which indicate advancement of play) and then an audio track may play that indicates an advancement in ranking (e.g., brown belt or black belt). At this point, the next round begins and the figure requests a new weapon to achieve a new ranking.
In one alternative embodiment and if however, the player does not strike the figure's chest plate enough times within a given a round, the figure knocks the car off of the Battle Stand and provides taunting audio tracks. In one embodiment, the toy is configured so that the figure knocks the car off the stand when one of the spinning weapons, controlled by the motor/circuit, reverses direction and the weapon strikes a ratchet lever on the base that flips the car off of the launcher. Alternatively, the object is flipped off by a plunger disposed in the center of the launcher wherein actuation of the plunger is controlled by the microprocessor of the toy or a mechanism actuated by the figure.
Referring now to
In still another alternative, hits or misses of the figure by objects launched by the launcher are recorded by signals from any one of the sensors 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 such that the microprocessor will, due to its driving circuit or by a sensor in the gear train or motor, know the position of the (e.g., rotation) of the upper portion of the figure and when the object is launched (e.g., the sensor in the trigger and launcher will indicate the position of the launcher and when it is launched) thus if the position of the launcher and the object are each indicating an aligned position (e.g., object hit chest) the microprocessor will record that as a hit. Conversely, if they are not properly aligned no hit is recorded and the microprocessor will provide signals to an audio driver play to the appropriate messages out of the speaker. Accordingly and in this embodiment, there is no need for a sensor on the chest as hits can be recorded by receiving signals indicating when the object was launched, the angular configuration of the launcher and the angular configuration of the figure. Accordingly, numerous methods for recording hits and misses are contemplated to be within the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention.
In order to win, the player must have defeated the figure a predetermined number of consecutive rounds of battle. On the final strike to the figure's chest plate the figure in one embodiment wobbles in an unsteady manner and says, “You have defeated me, you are the Master.” The figure collapses backwards with electrical short circuit sounds (e.g., positions 8A-8B). If the player does not strike the figure's chest plate enough times within a round, the figure knocks the car off of the Battle Stand and says “Your no match for me, all too easy” or “That will teach you to challenge the Master” etc.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the present application.
Claims
1. A toy, comprising:
- a figure having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being moveably secured to the lower portion;
- at least one appendage movably secured to the upper portion, the at least one appendage having a distal end with an item rotatably secured thereto;
- an actuator disposed on an exterior surface of the upper portion, the actuator being configured for movement between a first position and a second position, the actuator retains the upper portion in a first configuration with respect to the lower portion when the actuator is in the first position and the upper portion moves to a second configuration with respect to the lower portion when the actuator is moved to the second position; and
- a launcher for launching an object at the figure and the actuator, wherein the lower portion of the figure and the launcher are secured to a base member and wherein the launcher is pivotally secured to the base member for launching movement in a first direction and the launcher is movably secured to the base member for movement in an aiming direction, the aiming direction being different than the first direction.
2. The toy as in claim 1, wherein the launcher comprises a platform having a plurality of tabs disposed along its periphery.
3. The toy as in claim 2, wherein the object is a miniature toy car slightly larger than the platform in at least one direction and the tabs are configured such that a portion of the tabs can engage the miniature toy car such that the miniature car can be positioned on the platform in a plurality of angular configurations with respect to the platform.
4. The toy as in claim 1, wherein the item is configured to resemble a weapon.
5. The toy as in claim 1, wherein the base member further comprises an elevated structure disposed between the launcher and the lower portion of the figure.
6. A toy, comprising:
- a figure having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being moveably secured to the lower portion;
- at least one appendage movably secured to the upper portion, the at least one appendage having a distal end with an item rotatably secured thereto;
- an actuator disposed on an exterior surface of the upper portion, the actuator being cg for movement between a first position and a second position, the actuator retains the upper portion in a first configuration with respect to the lower portion when the actuator is in the first position and the upper portion moves to a second configuration with respect to the lower portion when the actuator is moved to the second position; and
- a launcher for launching an object at the figure and the actuator, wherein the figure further comprises a motor for engaging and rotating a gear train, the gear train being configured to move the upper portion with respect to the lower portion, move the at least one appendage with respect to the upper portion and rotate the item located at the distal end of the least one appendage when the gear train is rotated by the motor.
7. The toy as in claim 6, wherein the gear train moves the upper portion back and forth in a lateral direction and the gear train also moves the at least one appendage up and down as the upper portion moves in the lateral direction such that the item being rotated by the gear train is located in front of the figure in an alternating fashion.
8. A toy, comprising:
- a figure having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being moveably secured to the lower portion;
- at least one appendage movably secured to the upper portion, the at least one appendage having a distal end with an item rotatably secured thereto;
- an actuator disposed on an exterior surface of the upper portion, the actuator being configured for movement between a first position and a second position, the actuator retains the upper portion in a first configuration with respect to the lower portion when the actuator is in the first position and the upper portion moves to a second configuration with respect to the lower portion when the actuator is moved to the second position; and
- a launcher for launching an object at the figure and the actuator, wherein the upper portion is also pivotally secured to the lower portion and biased towards the second configuration by a biasing force, wherein movement of the actuator to the second position allows the biasing force to pivot the upper portion to the second configuration and wherein the upper portion is configured as a torso of the figure and the lower portion is configured as a pair of legs and the actuator is disposed on a chest portion of the torso.
9. A toy, comprising:
- a figure having a torso portion movably secured to the figure;
- a pair of arms moveably secured to the torso portion each of the pair of arms having a distal end with an item rotatably secured thereto;
- a motor for simultaneously rotating each item and for moving the torso such that each item is alternatively located in a position in front of the figure;
- a release mechanism for maintaining the torso in an upright configuration;
- an actuator for releasing the release mechanism, the actuator being disposed on an exterior surface of the torso; and
- a launcher for launching an object at the figure and the actuator.
10. The toy as in claim 9, wherein the lower portion of the figure and the launcher are secured to a base member and the launcher is pivotally secured to the base member for launching movement in a first direction, the launcher also being movably secured to the base member for movement in an aiming direction, the aiming direction being different than the first direction.
11. The toy as in claim 9, wherein the launcher comprises a platform having a plurality of tabs disposed along its periphery and the object is a miniature toy car slightly larger than the platform in at least one direction and the plurality of tabs are configured such that a portion of the plurality of tabs can engage the miniature toy car such that the miniature car can be positioned on the platform in a plurality of angular configurations with respect to the platform.
12. The toy as in claim 9, wherein the figure further comprises a motor for engaging and rotating a gear train, the gear train being configured to move the upper portion with respect to the lower portion, move the at least one appendage with respect to the upper portion and rotate the item located at the distal end of the least one appendage when the gear train is rotated by the motor.
13. The toy as in claim 12, wherein the gear train and the motor are disposed in the torso of the figure and the gear train moves the torso back and forth in a lateral direction while the gear train also moves the at least one appendage up and down as the torso moves in the lateral direction such that the items being rotated by the gear train are located in front of the figure in an alternating fashion.
14. The toy as in claim 9, wherein the item is configured to resemble a weapon and the torso is also pivotally secured to a pair of legs of the figure and the torso is biased toward a non-upright position by a biasing force, wherein release of the release mechanism by the actuator allows the biasing force to move the torso from the upright configuration to the non-upright position.
15. The toy as in claim 14, wherein the actuator is disposed on a chest portion of the torso and the figure further comprises a motor for engaging and rotating a gear train disposed within the torso, the gear train being configured to move the torso, move the pair of arms with respect to the torso and rotate the items located at the distal ends of the pair of arms when the gear train is rotated by the motor.
16. A toy, comprising:
- a figure capable of being manipulated between a first position and a second position;
- at least one appendage movably secured to the figure, the at least one appendage having a distal end with an item movably secured thereto;
- a mechanism having a target, the target being configured for movement between a release position and a latched position, the mechanism retains the figure in the first position when the mechanism is in the latched position and the figure moves to the second position when the mechanism is moved toward the release position; and
- a launcher for launching an object at the target.
17. The toy as in claim 16, wherein the figure further comprises a motor for moving the item, the at least one appendage and a portion of the figure, wherein movement of the item, the least one appendage and the portion of the figure causes the target to be either protected from the object launched by the launcher or exposed to the object launched by the launcher, wherein movement of the item, the at least one appendage and the portion of the figure is in a reciprocating manner.
18. The toy as in claim 16, wherein the toy further comprises a motor for moving the item and the at least one appendage.
19. The toy as in claim 16, wherein the figure further comprises a torso movably mounted to a lower portion of the figure and wherein the at least one appendage is attached to the torso and the target is located on a surface of the torso.
20. A toy, comprising:
- a figure having a torso portion secured to a lower portion of the figure;
- a pair of arms secured to the torso portion each of the pair of arms having a distal end;
- a mechanism for moving the torso such that each distal end of the pair of arms is alternatively located in a position in front of the figure;
- a release mechanism for maintaining the torso in an upright configuration with respect to the lower portion of the figure;
- an actuator for releasing the release mechanism, the actuator being disposed on an exterior surface of the figure; and
- an item for launching an object at the figure and the actuator.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Aug 17, 2009
Date of Patent: Nov 15, 2011
Patent Publication Number: 20100041305
Assignee: Mattel, Inc. (El Segundo, CA)
Inventor: Stacy Lynn O'Connor (Long Beach, CA)
Primary Examiner: Kien Nguyen
Attorney: Cantor Colburn, LLP
Application Number: 12/542,437
International Classification: A63H 3/46 (20060101); A63H 17/00 (20060101);